amsall's blog

50 Blogs for Your Must Read List

If you're like me, you like to find stimulating and thought provoking content online beyond the obvious and often recommended small group. People who ask questions differently, or maybe from a new domain and subject matter.

via www.conversationagent.com

Geert Hofstede | Culture

The word "culture" stems  from a Latin root that means the tilling of the soil, like in agriculture. In many modern languages the word is used in a figurative sense, with two meanings:

1. The first, most common, meaning  is "civilization", including education, manners, arts and crafts and their products. It is the domain of  a "ministry of culture".
2. The second meaning derives from social anthropology, but in the past decades it has entered common parlance. It refers to the way people think, feel,  and act. Geert has defined it as "the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from another". The "category" can refer to nations, regions within or across nations, ethnicities, religions, occupations, organizations, or the genders. A simpler definition is 'the unwritten rules of the social game'.

The two meanings should not be confused. Our work refers to culture in the second sense.

via www.geerthofstede.nl

Tips for teaching English abroad without speaking the local language | Gadling.com

When people hear I spent a summer teaching English in Thailand, they often assume I speak fluent Thai. The truth is, you don't need to be fluent in the local language to teach English abroad. I'm not saying that it doesn't help, however, it isn't necessarily required, as the goal is creating an environment of English-language immersion.

Teaching English is a great experience for all parties involved, and if it's something you're interested in doing you shouldn't let fear of not speaking the local language fluently hold you back. Not only will you get the chance to have an eye-opening experience and get a unique perspective of the culture, you'll also be helping educate children and getting the chance to share your unique background with them.

To help you get the most of your experience teaching English abroad, here are some tips.

via www.gadling.com

The Associated Press: Is he 90? Senegal leader's age a campaign issue

KEBEMER, Senegal (AP) — The question dogging the president of this nation as he tries to convince his country to vote for him one last time can be traced to this town enveloped in sand. It's here inside a house with a goat tethered outside that President Abdoulaye Wade was born. The problem is when?

His birth certificate is locked away. And the page stating when he entered primary school has been torn out. As Wade tries to persuade voters to give him a third term in next week's election, his age has become a campaign issue.

via www.google.com

4 Localization Tips for Savvy Global Businesses :The Cross-cultural Connector

It’s pretty exciting when a product makes the leap and goes global. With more than 73 percent of Internet users searching the web in a language other than English, the jump into the global unknown can certainly reap plenty of dollars. Yet, international websites are a serious game and require just as much thought and attention as their English counterpart.

via thecrossculturalconnector.com

Geert Hofstede | Culture

What is culture?

The word "culture" stems  from a Latin root that means the tilling of the soil, like in agriculture. In many modern languages the word is used in a figurative sense, with two meanings:

1. The first, most common, meaning  is "civilization", including education, manners, arts and crafts and their products. It is the domain of  a "ministry of culture".
2. The second meaning derives from social anthropology, but in the past decades it has entered common parlance. It refers to the way people think, feel,  and act. Geert has defined it as "the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from another". The "category" can refer to nations, regions within or across nations, ethnicities, religions, occupations, organizations, or the genders. A simpler definition is 'the unwritten rules of the social game'.

The two meanings should not be confused. Our work refers to culture in the second sense.

via www.geerthofstede.nl

Business practices: The cultural exchange :The Cross-cultural Connector

Business is about establishing a rapport and level of communication quickly and effectively. One common stumbling block those in business face is having a lack of cultural awareness. Whether it is confusion concerning whether you bow or extend a hand, or whether cleaning your plate at a corporate lunch is a compliment or an insult, something which is culturally acceptable in the West can mean the opposite elsewhere.

via thecrossculturalconnector.com

Record Number Of Americans Now Hold Passports :The Cross-cultural Connector

When I was a college kid backpacking through Europe, my European fellow travelers were aghast that so few Americans held a passport, while passports were virtually de rigueur for citizens across the pond. “What are Americans afraid of?” one even asked me.

via thecrossculturalconnector.com

Record Number Of Americans Now Hold Passports :The Cross-cultural Connector

When I was a college kid backpacking through Europe, my European fellow travelers were aghast that so few Americans held a passport, while passports were virtually de rigueur for citizens across the pond. “What are Americans afraid of?” one even asked me.

via thecrossculturalconnector.com

200 Views on Culture and Communication Skills Training | Cross Cultural Training

Thanks to all of you who have been following our last 200 blog articles where we have explored different subjects in the world of culture and communication skills training.

via blog.communicaid.com